A judge shot down Bob Bashara’s request for a laptop computer in jail and threatened to remove his court-appointed attorney because she’s concerned about the case’s progress.

Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Vonda Evans said Bashara can use reading glasses or a magnifying glass to view the hundreds of printed pages of documented evidence and listen along with his attorney to audio recordings of his own jail conversations, all of which may be used against him in his upcoming murder trial.

“We need to find out if any special reading glasses (can be used), whatever we need to provide to him,” Evans said

Bashara claims he needs the computer to enlarge type because he has poor eyesight. Bashara also asked for an improved writing instructment over the tiny pencils he is given.

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Assistant Wayne County Prosecutors Robert Moran and Lisa Lindsey argued in opposition, saying that Bashara should not be treated better than other Wayne County Jail inmates, all of whom receive printed “discovery” documents. They also were concerned he could gain access to the internet and/or email to potentially contact witnesses in the case.

“He can have reading glasses,” Moran said. “I have them. I have to use them now because of my advanced age.”

Moran added that the jail’s monitored area where inmates could share a few computers has been shut down due to financial constraints.

Discussion over the laptop morphed into talk about the leisurely pace in which Bashara is getting discovery documents. Bashara didn’t receive preliminary examination transcripts until Dec. 13 even though they had been given to his attorneys in seven phases over one month ending Nov. 15, Evans said.

“That’s unacceptable,” the judge said.

She told Bashara’s attorney, Mark Procida, that she wants him to return for a Jan. 23 hearing to show he and his office are committed to representing Bashara or may have to assign it to another attorney or attorney group. She said she is worried a conviction could be overturned by the appeals court based on ineffective assistance of legal counsel.

Procida, who is from the Legal Aid and Defender office, did not respond to the allegations and did not comment following the hearing.

Attorney Rene Cooper is no longer part of the three-member defense team, officials said.

Evans asked Bashara to provide a list of potential new attorneys, after which Bashara revealed he gave $15,000 to attorney David Cripps as a possible retainer. But Cripps returned the money, Bashara said. He said Cripps “wants five, six times” that amount.

Bashara, 56, accused of having his wife, Mount Clemens-native Jane, 56, strangled to death in January 2012 in their Grosse Pointe Park garage, faces a March 3 trial date, although that date may be in jeopardy due to the recent developments.

Evans during the hearing twice scolded Bashara, once for putting his hand on his hip and once for talking to his attorney while others talked on the record.

“That is rude,” she told him.

Jane Bashara’s body was found the day after she was killed in her parked SUV on Detroit’s east side.

Joe Gentz said he murdered Jan Bashara on threats and promises of compensation from her husband. Gentz, 49, formerly of St. Clair Shores, pleaded to second-degree murder in exchange for his testimony, and is serving 17 to 28 years in prison.

Bashara is already serving 80 months for trying to have Gentz killed while behind bars.